An Animal's Deed

Chapter 14: Breakthrough?

UNEDITED

Devin's hospital ward witnessed Jigar's breakdown after seeing his son's condition. Devin had gained consciousness after a few days, and when he did, Jigar hugged him and apologized to him for not accepting his ways, for slapping him.

Devin acknowledged it with a gentle nod, still dazed by the horrors he had gone through.

Chirag came inside and as per earlier confirmation, Jigar sat on Devin's left side, knowing the CBI wanted to ask questions.

The doctor had told Chirag that Devin was better and could talk but had advised for the presence of one medical professional, to make sure Devin was ok if any triggers were touched during interrogation.

Chirag spoke: "I hope you're willing to talk Devin, at any point in this interrogation, if you feel uncomfortable you're free to tell me to stop."

Devin nodded, knowing the drill.

Chirag turned the recorder on: "1st October, 11:09 AM, Officer Chirag Sehgal interrogating Survived Victim Devin Khanna. Ok Devin, do you remember hearing anything at that place, a hushed conversation or anything unusual from the abductor?"

Devin: "No, he used to come to that room only when he wanted to torture me, or in his language, have fun." his voice closed off into a lump of tears.

Chirag passed him a glass of water: "Did he have any particular mark on his body, or hand, anything you noticed about him that could help us.."

Devin:"He used to keep himself fully covered"

Chirag:"Did he ever talk to you about your life, or his?"

Devin:"No, he was very quiet, just made comments on my atheist ideas, nothing else, he never revealed anything personal as such"

Chirag:"Can you tell me who all knew about your decision to become an atheist?"

Devin:"Mom Dad, and my friend Vicky "

Chirag:"You have 3 more friends right? Why didn't you tell them, aren't you all like minded?"

Devin:"Sujoy, Iqbal and Roshit..yeah, we are like minded, but I confide more in Vicky "

Chirag:"Any particular reason?"

Devin:"Is it important, it's a little personal"

Chirag:"It is important, we still don't know anything major about the killer"

Devin:"Vicky was as sure as me, the other three were still confused...and Sujoy was almost changing his opinions because of his elder brother Rohit"

Chirag:"You know anything more about why he was changing?"

Devin:"No"

Chirag:"Are there any chances that Vicky might have told about your decision to the other three friends?"

Devin:"No, I don't think so"

Chirag nodded:"Thank you Devin, don't leave the city for sometime and a team will be appointed to safeguard you till the killer isn't caught, stay safe... interrogation ends at 11:25 AM"

He turned the recorder off and was leaving when Jigar spoke:"Thank you officer"

Chirag smiled in surprise:"My duty, sir, have a good day"

He left the hospital and went to the headquarters after making sure the news of Devin's rescue wasn't leaked anywhere
...

Meanwhile Rishi bounced back home and smiled, he loved staying at his Bhaiya's place..at his rented apartment he didn't know why but he always had some negative vibes, as if something bad had happened..

But here he felt free, elated..

He put the bag properly and sat down to investigate, he was trying to solve the case that Chirag was handling, because it was his favourite leisure activity..

Rishi got so engrossed in the research that he forgot to eat lunch.
It was around 6 in the evening when Chirag came home with the spare key, not wanting to disturb Rishi.

He was still getting familiar with having someone stay with him. He felt it would be rude to disturb him.

But when he came in and saw the untouched casserole, his eyes glinted. He hated letting anyone skip meals.

He saw Rishi glued to the laptop screen and whacked him on the head:"Pehle khaana Khao"

Both Chirag and Rishi were shocked to have this happen.

Chirag couldn't believe what he just did, it was merely out of instinct and now he deeply regretted it.

Rishi was pleasantly surprised and rubbed his head with a smile. He was so happy that he had his Bhaiya now, who would take care of him.

The thought of having a family again made Rishi stand up with a grin.
He went to Chirag to hug him but was confused when he saw Chirag take a step back.

"Bhaiya?"

"Sorry Rishi, sorry. Main...main maarna nahi chahta tha..I'm not them. No no, I'm not them. I'm not abusive, I'm so sorry, tujhe lagi? I.."

He took a step towards him and then again backed off:"I don't deserve you, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Tu...you can go..I know you would already be hating me for hitting you. I'm sorry. Main unke jaise nahi Banna chahta.."

He trailed off as sobs escaped his mouth and Rishi closed the distance between them, hugging him.

Chirag tried to break the hug but Rishi held on.

"Pata hai Bhaiya, jab main Chhota tha toh meri mumma mujhe tapliyaan maar maar ke seedha karti thi. Maine toh thappad bhi khaaye hai mischief ke baad. Toh kya vo abusive ho gayi?"

He looked up from the hug, straight in Chirag's eyes. The hazel green orbs were filled with fear and hesitation. A sense of self hate was clearly visible.

Rishi shook his head:"Mumma wasn't abusive. Even my Dad had hit me once when I spoke very rudely. That was when I was around 15, a growing adolescent. But they weren't abusive, they loved me so much, Bhaiya. After hitting me they used to hug me once I knew my mistake. They used to feel guilty for hitting me, they didn't get pleasure out of that. What you did, was the same. You are my family, Bhaiya. And you have full rights to straighten me up. Aap abusive nahi ho, aapko maza nahi aata mujhe pain deke. Aapne toh abhi Tak zor se lagai bhi nahi hai aur fir bhi guilty ho gaye. Kisi din goli voli maar doge mujhe toh toh aap kya karoge Bhaiya?"

Chirag had understood what he was saying, but the last line rubbed him on the wrong side.

He gifted Rishi a hard whack on the shoulder and scolded:"Aise gande jokes kyon maarta hai, goli maarna isn't a joke Rishi. Meri goli kisi innocent ko nahi lagegi. Ek thappad maarunga agar aisa socha bhi toh tune"

Rishi chuckled:"Relax yaar, main toh mazak kar Raha tha. Ab khaa lun?"

Chirag nodded and made him sit, and then took out the food from the casserole.
It was still warm.

Rishi told Chirag to get his plate too and he sighed, understanding a family dynamic, of eating food together.

Chirag got his dinner too, and both the brothers had it together. It was a moment of peace for Chirag in his hectic life.

For the first time he felt truly relieved of work. For the first time he understood what a family meant.

Hello...

I know I updated this after so long, but bare with me?

Chalo, I hope you all will shower some love on this.

VOMMENT ❤️